Reuters AlertNet Lite - China defends produce safety, says responsible

Reuters AlertNet Full site

NEWSDESK

China defends produce safety, says responsible

21 May 2007 05:54:35 GMT
Source: Reuters

BEIJING, May 21 (Reuters) - A Chinese government minister defended the safety and quality of goods made in China on Monday, following a series of health scandals connected to Chinese products. "The Chinese government pays a great deal of attention to consumer safety. China is a responsible country when it comes to protecting consumers' health and security," said Li Chuanqing, a vice-minister of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine.

"We have worked hard to protect product quality and people's health," said Li, whose ministry is also in charge of ensuring the safety of the country's food exports.

Billions of dollars worth of counterfeit and substandard goods, from fake liquor and drugs to luxury handbags, are produced every year in China.

In one of the most highly publicised scandals, China revealed in 2004 that at least 13 babies had died from malnutrition in the impoverished eastern province of Anhui after being fed fake baby milk.

U.S. consumers have been worried by a spate of pet deaths blamed on tainted wheat gluten and rice protein exported from China, as well as reports of toxins and disease in other Chinese exports.

Li, while not directly addressing any of the recent cases, said that it was important China works closely with the rest of the world to ensure quality problems with its exports are dealt with properly.

"China is the world's largest exporter of consumer products," he said. "Our products are in every corner of the globe.

"Experience shows that international cooperation and exchanges are an effective way of appropriately solving global product safety problems in a timely manner," added Li, speaking at a forum organised by the International Consumer Product Health and Safety Organisation.

As a measure perhaps of China's sensitivity to international criticism and its lack of transparency, security guards prevented foreign reporters from speaking to his colleague, vice-minister Wei Chuanzhong, who was at the same forum.

China's rickety system of food and medicine inspections has also flared as a domestic worry. In April, the ruling Communist Party's Politburo -- its inner council -- met to discuss strengthening controls.

AlertNet news is provided by

Email this article Send comments

Countries

Small country map
© 2004 Europa Technologies Ltd.

Reset map

• China profile
· View map

MORE >>

NGO latest

• Governor Recognizes Two Top Students!
Children Intl - USA

• Plan launched a worldwide camapign calling for action on girls' rights abuses
Plan UK

• Catholic Relief Services Urges Congress to Make Food Aid More Effective
CRS - USA

• The UMCOR Hotline for May 08, 2007
UMCOR - USA

• Webby Awards Honor World Vision's Interactive AIDS Experience
WV - USA

MORE >>

Latest news

• China defends produce safety, says responsible

• Drug misuse kills 200,000 Chinese a year -doctors

• Sri Lanka roadside bomb, clash kill 4 soldiers

• China truck crash kills 20 women farmers

• Tiger kills zookeeper in southern China

MORE >>

Last updated:Mon May 21 05:56:54 2007